:: BIRTHDAY BASH ::

 We kicked off Levi's Birthday Bash by Skyping with Grammy & Grandpa to open presents they sent:

By the end, he got a little better with opening the presents.

He's a champ with Skyping these days, though- He LOVES to "tickle" and hug and give kisses right to the person on the screen.

SUPER CUTE!

The plans were set- Saturday @ 4:00 pm.....

So by 4:00, the cake was made:

(sorry my camera would NOT take this picture in FOCUS, I tried a dozen times... who knows?)

The snacks were made and set out:

Decorations were hung on the wall:

 

Party favors were tied & ready for guests to take home:

(included Psalm 139: 16b)

  

Our first guest had arrived:

(Thanks BETH!)

And that was it for a while......

Then 4:30 rolled around and guess what?

Our truckload of MANURE for our garden showed up and they conveniently unloaded the ENTIRE truck bed into our carport/ ENTRY WAY into our HOUSE!!!

(Of course it was supposed to show up the day BEFORE... but what can you do, but LAUGH!) 

 The lovely scent swept through the house, just in time for the guests to come- haha.

So I lit candles around the house....

AND then we lit the candle on the cake and sang "Happy Birthday" to the birthday boy:

 As we sang, he began dipping his finger along the edge and helping himself to some icing while he waited to blow out the candle and dive in. :)

I think it's safe to say, he liked it!

 Sweetest little 2 year old I know :)

 

And then it was CAKE time!!!!

 "I think I'm in heaven"

 "Guys, did you get some of this stuff... I'm telling you, it's good"

 

"Ok, suit yourself, I'm not gonna miss out on mine!"

~Levi

(These eyes crack me up)

"Oh shoot- this is too difficult, and let's be honest- this stuff on the top is the best anyway... 

might as well just lick that off :)"

 

Then we enjoyed fun birthday gifts & hanging out with our guests:

 "Thanks for coming guys!"

 "I LOVE BIRTHDAYS... Especially MINE!"

~Levi

Happy FALL Y'all!

There is no denying it...

Once September rolls around, my heart goes FULL SWING into FALL!

Craig & I have both always loved this season.

Quite possibly for different reasons:

I love ~ the colors, the smells, the leaves falling, pumpkins as well as all the yummy desserts you can make from pumpkin, sweaters, candles, cozy blankets, etc...

Craig loves ~ Football (especially WVU), the cool weather, Hunting, Riding up on the hill behind MawMaw's on the four-wheeler, camping, climbing....

No matter the reason for our excitement of the season... I decided to bring Fall to India by decorating our home:

This lovely wreath was my birthday present from Craig's sister, Jodi

Thanks-(I LOVE IT!)

Of course... my favorite PUMPKIN of ALL!

(Look he even picked flowers for me! Such a sweet boy)

" What Mama? You thought these were for YOU???... Silly Mama- hehehe "

We decided to have a little Fall Ladie's Brunch as well @ Beth's one Saturday morning:

Pumpkin Bars, Quiche, Fruit Salad

on some fun fall plates :)

 

And then we dove into some Fall Crafting:

The essentials = Fall colored daal, glasses, fabric, scissors, paper, and....

toilet paper (what- I said essentials didn't I?)

The RESULTS:

Some Lovely Pumpkins & colorful candle holders

My Pumpkin trio & candle creations

Sarah's Pumpkin trio & candles













Beth's Pumpkin trio & candles

When I got home- I busted out my FAVORITE Fall decorations that I had brought with me

(Thanks Jodi for reminding me!)

And went to town decorating the house:

My pumpkins- oh how I love them!

(They look even more lovely with my new candles, don't they?)

 

Fall table cloth (I found this fabric at the market- oh sweet surprises!)

and YUMMY MacIntosh Apple scent filling the air 

My pumpkin Trio's new home & Fall candle plate:

 

Best of all...

A precious reminder to be THANKFUL to the Creator of ALL things!

Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in EVERYTHING by PRAYER and supplication with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known to God.

And the PEACE of GOD, which surpasses ALL understanding will guard your HEARTS and your MINDS in CHRIST JESUS" 

AND in Hindi for our guests:

I have so many reasons to give THANKS to the one who created me and saved me.

Fall is just ONE of the MANY precious ways that He bestows His LOVE and creation upon me-

He is such a precious & caring Father who LOVES us deeply.

~With Gratitude in my Heart Lord~

My LIttle Guy & "The Guys"

Levi's love for the TV and him standing RIGHT in front of it, called for some intervention:

The real problem was he just needed a place to drive his trucks while he watched and the TV stand was just SO convenient... haha.

But we created a little desk for him- so he had a place to SIT and PLAY and WATCH all at the same time AND at a further distance from the screen!

AND he always LOVES when his "dost"-"friend" comes over... 

it's quite hilarious how much he LOVES to play with his HAIR!

I can't figure out why he thinks it's so abnormal for a man to have hair ;)

Sweet snuggles with PAPA:

THEN this is what became of the "desk" idea:

BUBBLE ~ AUNTIE

 Our house helper has been given a new title:

"Bubble Auntie"

And here is why:

 One day she decided to share the "bubbles" from her mop bucket 

(don't worry it was a fresh bucket)

and the result was ONE happy boy who would not stop saying:
BUBBLE-BUBBLE-BUBBLE!

She carries the name proudly now :)

It's pretty cute.